Extended break

Students in Jay County are getting a much longer winter break than they expected.
Jay Schools were closed for the fourth straight day today, and Jay Schools superintendent announced this morning that the corporation will be closed again Friday. South Adams Schools were also closed today.
Most roads in the county were impassable Monday and Tuesday after about 14 inches of snow fell Sunday. Although most roads are now open to at least one lane of traffic, ice continues to be an issue throughout the county.
“We’re still fighting winter. That’s what it is,” said Long. “I think everything around, from the towns to the country, it’ll give them an extra day to get caught up.”
If Jay Schools are open Monday, students in the county will have had a 23-day break since their last day on Dec. 20.
Nine days of school have been canceled thus far this year. The corporation missed 11 days during the 2009-10 school year and 12 during 2010-11.
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz granted a waiver for Monday and Tuesday, but the remaining days will have to be made up with built-in snow days or at the end of the year.
In addition to the issues with road safety, Long also noted that many sidewalks in town are still not cleared for children who walk to school. And while most roads in the county are now passable, they are still ice-covered and rutted in many places.
“It’s not just safe to put the kids out on,” said Long, noting that possible snow and freezing rain tonight and tomorrow adds to the concern. “They’ve done a good job getting the roads opened up. What I see is a lot of ice. We’ve got an ice base, and that’s always scary.”
In addition to school being closed, all athletic events and other extracurricular activities scheduled for Friday are canceled. Conditions will be evaluated again Friday before a decision is made about Saturday’s events.
Students in Fort Recovery returned to school today on a two-hour delay. While school was closed each of the previous three days, students participated in E-Days during which they worked from home on pre-planned assignments.
Ralph Frazee, Jay County Emergency Management Agency Director, said the roads are clear now, but freezing rain forecasted for Friday and Saturday could create problems.
“The biggest concern we have now is the freezing rain that’s forecasted,” said Frazee. “We’ll just have to keep an eye on it.”
Crews are still working to widen roads, said Ken Wellman, superintendent of the county highway department. Salt was put out yesterday, but some roads are still snow-covered and icy.
“I think you can pretty much get around on them, but they’ll still be slick,” he said.
Eight slide offs were reported to Jay County 9-1-1 yesterday, and one accident was reported to Redkey Fire Department. Portland Police Department also handled one accident caused by slick road conditions.
County officials plan to watch the forecast as rain and warmer temperatures move into the area.
“I think we’re improving,” Frazee said. “We’ll keep an eye on the next set of weather.”[[In-content Ad]]